Erth 111 Midterm 1 Exam Questions & Answers | 100% Verified solutions
|Questions with Correct Answers 2025 latest update!!
Terms in this set (49)
What is Physical geology/dynamic The study of the processes of the Earth and the composition
earth?
Hypothesis: a message expressing an opinion based on
incomplete evidence Theory: scientific ideas supported by
Scientific method:
abundant evidence. passed many tests -failed none
Law: Statements that completely describe a specific relationship or
phenomenon
Initially homogeneous: all same parts
Differentiation event: Heat from collision + heat when matter
starts to squeeze + heat from decay of radioactive elements
Earths Formation;
results in denser iron alloy separating out and lighter material
rising
present state of
differentiation:
lithosphere/lithospheric
motions
Crust: (Oceanic and Continental):
Earth's Interior Oceanic Crust: 7-10km thick. Top is a thin layer of clay and tiny
shells.. beneath consists of basalt and below that, gabbro
35-40km Thick. Rock type ranges from mafic to felsic.
Continental Crust: Continental on average less mafic (felsic to intermediate
composition) than oceanic, furthermore less dense. Oxygen =
most abundant
2885 Km thick layer - largest part of earth. Consists entirely of
Mantle ultramafic (dark and dense) rock called peridotite, making
peridotite most abundant rock on planet.
Almost all mantle is solid rock but its soft enough that it flows
Outer core: liquid iron alloy, this flow of iron alloy
Outer/Inner Core:
creates magnetic field Inner core: solid iron because
of pressure
, Pressure and temperature both increase with depth in the
Gradients in Earth:
Earth. The rate at which temperature increases as depth
increases is the geothermal gradient.
Interior: 80% of energy from decay of radioactive
Sources of energy for the earth
elements Exterior: Sun
Exterior Processes (Fast): Wind, weather, rivers, currents, glaciers
plate tectonics.. mountain building, earthquakes, landslides,
Interior (Slow):
volcanoes, oceans open/close...
Continental vs. Oceanic crust part that is relatively rigid since it is not hot enough, rocks do
(difference in thickness and not flow easily.. consists of crust and uppermost, coolest
composition) vs. Mantle part of mantle
Continental 35-40km thick,
oceanic 7- 10km... Continental
more felsic/intermediate, less
dense.. Oceanic more mafic,
(Gabbro/basaltic)
Asthenosphere vs. Lithosphere
(difference in strength)
Lithosphere:
Why is asthenosphere different portion of mantle where rock can flow. occurs where
(Thermal boundary)? temperature reaches about 1280 degrees celsius
Plate tectonics: Ocean-
Three types of plate boundaries
(and 7 subtypes with examples
and features of all) Convergent
-Ocean (Subduction)
Features: deep trenches and earthquakes, Island
arc volcanism ex. Japan, W ½ aleutian islands
Ocean -
- Continent (Subduction)<
Deep trenches and Earthquakes, Continental arc
volcanism ex. Andes Mountains, Cascade
mountains
Features: Uplift, Intermediate Depth, earthquakes,
Continent to Continent (Collision)
folded mountain belt ex. Himilayan Mountains
|Questions with Correct Answers 2025 latest update!!
Terms in this set (49)
What is Physical geology/dynamic The study of the processes of the Earth and the composition
earth?
Hypothesis: a message expressing an opinion based on
incomplete evidence Theory: scientific ideas supported by
Scientific method:
abundant evidence. passed many tests -failed none
Law: Statements that completely describe a specific relationship or
phenomenon
Initially homogeneous: all same parts
Differentiation event: Heat from collision + heat when matter
starts to squeeze + heat from decay of radioactive elements
Earths Formation;
results in denser iron alloy separating out and lighter material
rising
present state of
differentiation:
lithosphere/lithospheric
motions
Crust: (Oceanic and Continental):
Earth's Interior Oceanic Crust: 7-10km thick. Top is a thin layer of clay and tiny
shells.. beneath consists of basalt and below that, gabbro
35-40km Thick. Rock type ranges from mafic to felsic.
Continental Crust: Continental on average less mafic (felsic to intermediate
composition) than oceanic, furthermore less dense. Oxygen =
most abundant
2885 Km thick layer - largest part of earth. Consists entirely of
Mantle ultramafic (dark and dense) rock called peridotite, making
peridotite most abundant rock on planet.
Almost all mantle is solid rock but its soft enough that it flows
Outer core: liquid iron alloy, this flow of iron alloy
Outer/Inner Core:
creates magnetic field Inner core: solid iron because
of pressure
, Pressure and temperature both increase with depth in the
Gradients in Earth:
Earth. The rate at which temperature increases as depth
increases is the geothermal gradient.
Interior: 80% of energy from decay of radioactive
Sources of energy for the earth
elements Exterior: Sun
Exterior Processes (Fast): Wind, weather, rivers, currents, glaciers
plate tectonics.. mountain building, earthquakes, landslides,
Interior (Slow):
volcanoes, oceans open/close...
Continental vs. Oceanic crust part that is relatively rigid since it is not hot enough, rocks do
(difference in thickness and not flow easily.. consists of crust and uppermost, coolest
composition) vs. Mantle part of mantle
Continental 35-40km thick,
oceanic 7- 10km... Continental
more felsic/intermediate, less
dense.. Oceanic more mafic,
(Gabbro/basaltic)
Asthenosphere vs. Lithosphere
(difference in strength)
Lithosphere:
Why is asthenosphere different portion of mantle where rock can flow. occurs where
(Thermal boundary)? temperature reaches about 1280 degrees celsius
Plate tectonics: Ocean-
Three types of plate boundaries
(and 7 subtypes with examples
and features of all) Convergent
-Ocean (Subduction)
Features: deep trenches and earthquakes, Island
arc volcanism ex. Japan, W ½ aleutian islands
Ocean -
- Continent (Subduction)<
Deep trenches and Earthquakes, Continental arc
volcanism ex. Andes Mountains, Cascade
mountains
Features: Uplift, Intermediate Depth, earthquakes,
Continent to Continent (Collision)
folded mountain belt ex. Himilayan Mountains
